Swansea City 0-1 Queens Park Rangers: Andre Gray gives Mark Warburton winning send-off

Mark Warburton took charge at QPR in May 2019Image source, Huw Evans picture agency
Image caption,

Mark Warburton took charge at QPR in May 2019

Mark Warburton's Queens Park Rangers reign ended with victory thanks to Andre Gray's late goal at Swansea City.

Substitute Gray swept home from Ilias Chair's pass to give departing manager Warburton a winning send-off.

Rangers' second victory in their last 10 matches means they finish 11th in a season which for a long time promised more.

A first home defeat in six games means Swansea end Russell Martin's first campaign in charge in 15th.

A second successive loss is a disappointing end for the Welsh club, who had been unbeaten in eight before last weekend's thrashing at Nottingham Forest.

While Martin will expect better in 2022-23, Rangers can now start thinking about a new era under a new boss.

The west London club revealed before their final home game of the season, against Sheffield United eight days ago, that Warburton will move on when his contract expires this summer.

Rangers were just two points adrift of second place in the Championship having beaten Reading on 29 January, but their form since has been miserable.

Warburton's final tactical plan was to press Swansea high and the bold approach knocked Martin's team out of their stride early on.

George Thomas had the game's first chance, dragging wide from the edge of the box, before Yoann Barbet failed to connect properly with Albert Adomah's dangerous cross and Chair's shot deflected narrowly off target.

Swansea thought they had gone ahead with their first opportunity of the afternoon, when Cyrus Christie's drive was parried by Seny Dieng and Hannes Wolf swept in the rebound only to be flagged offside.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Hannes Wolf was denied a third goal of the season by the offside flag

Wolf then fed academy product Cameron Congreve, who brilliantly beat his man only to be denied a goal on his full home debut by a sharp Dieng save.

The Rangers keeper was prominent again as Swansea improved after the break, pushing another Christie effort around the upright and then smothering Joel Piroe's shot at the near post.

Substitute Jamie Paterson then sliced wastefully wide before Rangers struck on a rare second-half attack, with Swansea caught out by a quick free-kick.

Chair strolled into the box before squaring unselfishly for Gray to tap his 10th goal of the season into the empty net.

Swansea head coach Russell Martin:

"It's a really disappointing way to finish the season. A few too many players in self-preservation mode, a few players who are unsure of their future here maybe. So it's a bit frustrating.

"We score a goal that's onside, it gets given offside. That maybe changes the game and sparks it into life, but I was surprised by the feeling around the place in the first half. I was disappointed in the performance and that transmitted to the supporters as well.

"Second half I really liked us until we conceded. We should have scored a couple of goals. I thought we were dominating and then the goal. It's so basic. If Lats [Joel Latibeaudiere] is still on the pitch, we don't concede that goal."

Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Warburton:

"It's very pleasing. It was important for us to finish on a high - I am delighted for the players and delighted for the fans.

"Against a team who like to dominate possession, you have to work hard, concentrate, keep your discipline - they did that and they deserve enormous credit.

"I said to the players it was a pleasure and a privilege working with them.

"The owners live and die by their decisions. Am I frustrated? Yes of course I am. Do I think there is more development to come? Loads. Would I have liked the opportunity [to stay]? Yes, but that's football.

"You hope your CV is strong, your reputation is intact and you see what doors open for you."

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